Fun, giveaways highlight tree lighting ceremony Friday

Christmas lights

Dancing, ice sculpting, fire throwing— not to mention free hot chocolate and a sparkling 60-foot spruce— are all part of the annual City of Brampton Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony this Friday, Nov. 16 at city hall.

Dancing, ice sculpting, fire throwing— not to mention free hot chocolate and a sparkling 60-foot spruce— are all part of the annual City of Brampton Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony this Friday, Nov. 16 at city hall.
Between 6 and 9 p.m. the celebration will offer several new free activities, including the introduction of a Kids Zone in Gage Park.
Battle of the Blades: A Christmas Ice Sculpting Demo is also new this year, and will take place in Ken Whillans Square, along with singing, dancing and fire throwing.
When Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell hits the switch, 15,000 sparkling lights will light up the 60-foot Christmas tree in the square.
In the Kids Zone, children can get their pictures taken in Santa’s sleigh and meet his reindeer, there will be a children’s Christmas craft station hosted by Jellybeenz, the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA) will sponsor cookie decorating, and there will be a s’mores station sponsored by the Real Canadian Superstore and the Brampton Downtown Development Corporation. QP7 Events will supply the Christmas music.
The Brampton Salvation Army is giving away free hot chocolate, while Kettle Corn and Beavertails will be available on Wellington Street.
Hydro One Brampton will be giving out free energy-efficient lightbulbs (limit on per person) and children will be invited into city hall to email a letter to Santa Claus.
It’s all happening in the downtown core, around the intersection of Main Street South and Wellington Street West.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item and/or toy to kick off the food drive and Cram-a-Cruiser for Peel Regional Police’s Toys for Tots campaign.
The BDDC’s Christmas Market opens Thursday, so it will be in full swing in Garden Square in front of the Rose Theatre. The market is an easy and fun way to tackle your Christmas shopping. For more, visit www.bramptondowntown.com.